THE HANGOVER REPORT – Slightly dwarved at the Armory, the freewheeling stage adaptation of THE FAGGOTS AND THEIR FRIENDS casts its sensuous spell

The Park Avenue Armory’s massive drill hall is a space that begs to be utilized to its extravagant physical potential. With such an expanse, the possibilities are almost limitless — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – CHEYENNE JACKSON at Carnegie Hall: Joyously fulfilling a lifelong dream as his authentic self

This past Monday, Cheyenne Jackson made his highly anticipated Carnegie Hall debut in an eclectic concert that found the stage and screen star joyously fulfilling his lifelong dream — emphatically … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Distinctively French, American: William Christie’s LES ARTS FLORRISANT and a Gustavo Gimeno-led NY PHILHARMONIC

This past weekend, two music ensembles strove, respectively, to evoke distinctly French and American stylings. These would be William Christie’s early music specialists Les Arts Florrisant at the Brooklyn Academy … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – ‘Tis the season: Broadway’s AMBER IMAN and CHRISTINE EBERSOLE kick off the holidays with their cabaret shows

In terms of nightlife entertainment, this week saw the first signs of the Christmastime holiday peaking through with Broadway favorites Amber Iman and two-time Tony-winner Christine Ebersole unveiling their latest … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Sometimes less is more: Semi-staged presentations of Jeanine Tesori’s BLUE and Marvin Hamlisch’s SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS hit the mark

In recent weeks, I attended semi-staged presentations of Jeanine Tesori’s 2019 opera Blue and Marvin Hamlisch’s underrated 2002 musical adaptation of Sweet Smell of Success. With the focus squarely on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Music-making at Lincoln Center: Dalia Stasevska leads the NY PHIL in a Ukraine-focused program, The Met brings back Strauss’s ARABELLA

Over the past few days, Lincoln Center was a nexus for some ravishing music-making, courtesy of the New York Philharmonic and the mighty Metropolitan Opera. As per usual, read on … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Broadway star SHOSHANA BEAN brings fervent fire to her debut concert at Carnegie Hall

Earlier this week, popular Broadway star Shoshana Bean made her highly anticipated Carnegie Hall debut as a headliner. Known for originating major roles in such recent shows as Hell’s Kitchen and Mr. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Venerable nightlife venues doing what they do best: Checking out late night offerings at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, and Birdland

In addition to partaking in the busy fall theater season, I’ve occasionally pursued late night offerings at some of New York’s most iconic nightlife venues — namely Joe’s Pub, 54 … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Fine music-making across genres: Diego Matheuz leads the NY PHILHARMONIC, Heather Christian’s ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS returns

Fine music-making is fine music-making, regardless of where one comes across it. This past week, I was reminded of this belief when I took in performances both in an intimate … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sans stars, The Met’s illuminating new staging of LA SONNAMBULA still mines the riches of Bellini’s score

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to catch up with the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Bellini’s La Sonnambula. Marketed as a vehicle for two of today’s most exciting … Continue Reading →